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Ontario Investing $155,000 to Support Festivals and Events in Simcoe-Grey

May 23, 2025

Investment will celebrate Canadian and local culture, boost tourism and strengthen Simcoe-Grey’s economy

May 23, 2025 – For Immediate Release

Stayner, ON – Today, Brian Saunderson, MPP for Simcoe-Grey was pleased to announce that Ontario is investing $155,000.00 through the 2025 Experience Ontario program to support 6 festivals and events in Simcoe-Grey. This is part of a nearly $20-million investment in festivals and events across Ontario to help organizers expand programming and draw visitors to stay longer in local accommodations, eat in restaurants, shop at local retailers and support main street businesses.

The following local events are receiving funding:

  • $55,000 for the Blue Mountain Film + Media Festival
  • $20,000 for the Collingwood Music Festival 2025: Timeless Journeys
  • $20,000 for Collingwood Fashion Week
  • $20,000 for Creemore Festival of the Arts
  • $20,000 for Collingwood Pride
  • $20,000 for 2025 Stonebridge Wasaga Beach Blues

“Festivals and events showcase the best of Ontario, it’s people and its culture all while inviting people near and far to experience and enjoy our province. They help create local jobs, provide economic benefits and bring communities together,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “Now more than ever, it is important that we come together to take part in made-in-Ontario experiences that celebrate our collective identity and support local communities.”

In total, Experience Ontario 2025 is supporting more than 350 festivals and events across the province.

“In our riding the calendar is full of events. From cutting edge film and fashion, to foot-stomping rhythm and blues, there is something for everyone to enjoy,” said Brian Saunderson, MPP for Simcoe-Grey. “Provincial funding to support these fantastic events in Clearview, Collingwood, The Blue Mountains and Wasaga Beach is not only an investment in culture, but also an investment in the local economy as families from across Ontario make the trip to the South Georgian Bay region to stay, play and make plans to return.”

QUICK FACTS

  • Tourism plays a critical role in the Ontario economy, in 2023 visitors to Ontario spent $33 billion and supported more than 325,000 jobs.
  • Since 2021, the Ministry’s Experience Ontario program (formerly known as Reconnect Ontario and Celebrate Ontario) has supported over 2,000 Ontario festivals and events.
  • In 2024-25, the ministry invested more than $20 million to support more than 250 festivals and events around the province.
  • Festivals and events supported by Experience Ontario benefit communities by drawing more visitors who stay longer in local accommodations, eat in restaurants, shop at local retailers and support main street businesses.
  • The Experience Ontario 2025 application period launched on November 28, 2024, with direct outreach to over 4,000 stakeholders and closed on December 30, 2024. To get your festival or event on the contact list for Experience Ontario 2026, email experienceontario@ontario.ca
  • In 2024-25, our government invested over $192 million in the tourism sector through funding programs, Regional Tourism Organization grants, Destination Ontario, ministry attractions, and tourism agencies.